Prediction: Tottenham vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City to qualify 

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight EFL Cup showdown from north London on Wednesday night, Tottenham will welcome Manchester City to the capital.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might have marked their return from October’s international break with a stellar 4-1 romp against West Ham, Spurs certainly came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Putting in a toothless performance as they fell to a 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace, Ange Postecoglou’s side are seeking some much-needed domestic stability. Heading into October’s fortnight interval with an infamous collapse away at Brighton as they suffered a 3-2 defeat, the former Celtic boss has a real uphill battle on his hands in the race to book a lucrative Champions League return this season. Although the Lilywhites might have continued to shine with their performances in north London, it is no secret that Tottenham are desperately seeking some much-needed defensive steel. Along with recording just a single clean sheet from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions, Spurs have also collected just a domestic clean sheet in front of their own supporters since a 1-0 FA Cup victory against Burnley way back on January 5th.

Team News

Missing out away at Crystal Palace over the weekend after picking up a hamstring injury, Tottenham will once again be without skipper Heung-Min Son on Wednesday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance over the past month, former Nottingham Forest defender Djed Spence remains a real doubt in north London.

With continued speculation over a move away ahead of the January transfer window, Romanian international Radu Dragusin could be handed a rare start here. Former Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur could make a first domestic start since returning from October’s international break.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, shattering a string of domestic records last season as they became the first club in English history to claim four consecutive Premier League crowns, Manchester City are once again pencilled in as a leading title contender this time around. Clinching a 1-0 victory at home against a rock-bottom Southampton over the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s men have skyrocketed their way back to the top of the table. Storming their way to a 5-0 romp against Sparta Prague while in European action last week, the Sky Blues have won each of their previous five appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 15-3. Yet to suffer a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, City should also be excited by their recent success in north London. Claiming a 2-0 win when they last travelled to Tottenham back on May 14th, they have collected consecutive victories in the capital for the first time since 2018.

Team News

Undergoing knee surgery last month, Manchester City have already confirmed that midfield talisman Rodri will not feature over the remainder of the season. While Norwegian youngster Oscar Bobb might be inching towards a first-team return, the 21-year-old is not expected to play any part in north London.

Bagging the winner against Southampton over the weekend and recording an 11th Premier League goal, Erling Haaland will once again spearhead Guardiola’s charge. Stefan Ortega will return between the sticks and replace Ederson on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Tottenham and Manchester City last met back on May 14th, the Sky Blues collected a 2-0 win in north London.
• Man City have collected back-to-back victories in north London for the first time since 2018.
• Spurs have remarkably recorded just a single clean sheet since way back on January 5th.
• Man City have not suffered a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign.
• Three of the last four meetings between Tottenham and Man City have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Yet to suffer a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Manchester City will be looking to make another statement here. Winning each of their previous five appearances across all competitions, the Sky Blues should also be excited by their recent success in the capital. Clinching back-to-back victories in north London for the first time since 2018, we are backing Guardiola’s side to extend on their EFL Cup adventure on Wednesday night.

Verdict: Manchester City to qualify 

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet